Vacation Care for Elderly

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Griswold Home Care

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Griswold Home Care

Posted on

Sep 03, 2023

Book/Edition

Florida - Southwest

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Let's face it, being the primary caretaker of elderly parents can make it difficult to take a break from your responsibilities. But don't let that discourage you. Everyone needs a vacation! This blog will provide you with tons of helpful information on how to make sure your loved ones are taken care of while you enjoy your dream getaway.

Arranging Care for Your Parent While You're Away

If you plan on going on vacation and leaving your aging parents at home, it is important to arrange for their care while you are gone. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

  • Ask for Help. This can include your child, a sibling, or a friend. Make sure that they understand and can handle the needs of your loved one for the length of time you'll be away.

  • Hire a Caregiver or Contact an Agency. Make sure they are licensed if you go with the former. They may cost less than an agency, but you will have to properly vet them to make sure they meet all requirements as an aide. If you go with an agency, you can guarantee they will meet all requirements.

  • Ask Their Routine Caregiver for Extended Care. If your loved one already has a daytime caregiver while you’re at work, you can incentivize the caregiver by paying them more to provide care for extended hours. You will have to check to make sure this meets their contract’s parameters, though.

  • Consider Respite Care. Many assisted-living communities offer short-term stays for an afternoon or even a few days or weeks. We’ll take a deeper look at short-term respite care for elderly in the next section.

  • Have Regular Check-Ins. If you’re worried about your loved one while you’re away, try to have a plan to check in on them. This can include daily video chats or phone calls to the provider.

  • Keep Important Documents Organized. It may be a good idea to have all documents, such as insurance or financial information, easily available for the caregiver.

  • Purchase Travel Insurance. In the event of an emergency, you may need to cancel plans at the last minute. This will ensure you don’t lose more money in the long run.

Six Helpful Tips for Traveling with Elderly Parents

Traveling is undoubtedly a fulfilling experience for people of all ages. Aging should not discourage one from taking vacations. As an older adult, traveling can have several health benefits, including boosting the immune system, relieving stress, and increasing happiness, among other advantages. If you choose to bring your elderly family member along on your vacation, consider the following:

  1. Manage expectations. If your parent requires a lot of rest, the trip may be at a slower pace than what you’re used to. When you discuss these expectations and plan your itinerary around your parent’s needs, you’re bound to have a wonderful experience together no matter what your destination.

  2. Visit a Doctor Before Leaving. Once you know it’s medically safe for your parent to travel, refill medications and leave them in the original labeled pharmacy containers. Ask the doctor for a medication list and instructions on taking them; pack the whole stash in a zippered bag and keep it in carry-on luggage.

  3. Get Accessible Accommodations. Make sure your hotel or resort is accessible for your parent and make sure they have proper access to the food they need if they have dietary restrictions.

  4. Choose Activities Everyone Can Enjoy. When planning vacation activities, make sure they're inclusive and accessible. If walking is required, rent an electric wheelchair for your loved one. Confirm accessibility requirements ahead of time to avoid any inconvenience.

  5. Consider your travel method. If you're traveling by air, it might be a good idea to choose an aisle seat for your parent. Similarly, if you're driving, make sure to take breaks after covering long distances.

  6. Don’t forget to care for yourself. This is your vacation, and everyone should return feeling rejuvenated. Consider bringing a caregiver with you to ease the burden if you can afford it, or plan a spa day to pamper both you and your parents. Make sure this vacation is enjoyable for you, as well as for them!

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Respite Care for Elderly Parents

As we mentioned earlier, respite care is temporary care for elderly patients and primary caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. It can be scheduled for as little as an afternoon or for several days or weeks and can take place in the individual's own home, at a healthcare facility, or at an adult day center. If you’re looking for long-term or weekend care for the elderly, you may want to look into respite care. Keep in mind, Medicare will cover most of the costs up to five days in a row, and Medicaid may also offer assistance. But mostly, your payment will be out of pocket. Be sure to look into other types of government help for additional financial assistance. For more information, check out the ARCH National Respite Network or Eldercare Locator for assistance in finding appropriate respite care.

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Tips for Motivating Seniors to Get More Exercise

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Autumn Activities for Seniors

With the cooler weather in the air, it is a great time to get outside and enjoy fall activities with friends and family. For many seniors, it may become an excuse to stay inside every day, bundle up, and read a good book or watch a favorite movie. However, becoming sedentary during this time may lead to some physical and cognitive decline. Senior living communities offer an active and engaging alternative with plenty of indoor and outdoor amenities for everyone to use so no one is cooped up inside their room all day! These amenities play an important part to your loved ones wellbeing and offer more than simply a place to spend your time. The intentional purpose they serve can enhance the quality of life for residents living in senior housing and striving to remain active. At Harmony Senior Services, we provide amenities that benefit you and your loved ones. Our communities offer so much more than nursing homes and we consciously create a space where our senior residents can socialize and gather with their neighbors. There is no better time to do this than in the fall months where football, food, and tailgating can be right in the center of the fun! Staying active and social during the cooler months are vital factors for seniors to remain both mentally and physically healthy. The colder weather can take a toll on your loved ones due to the fact that bones become more brittle as we age and finding suitable outdoor activities can be a real challenge. Harmony provides a variety of ways to enjoy fall activities with our convenient amenities and daily calendar of engaging activities for friends and family!Grilling OutsideCooking with your close friends is always something everyone loves and is entertained by. At our Harmony Senior Services communities, we offer a grilling area with outdoor seating that is a great way to socialize while eating a delicious meal. Who doesnt like a good hamburger or hotdog while watching football on the weekends? Our team is happy to assist you in planning a fun event for guests and residents to enjoy. Play an Outdoor GameEnjoying the great outdoors by playing a game is always a great way to socialize in senior housing communities. From cornhole, to bocce ball, to horseshoes, there is always something available for everyone to enjoy. If you prefer to spend your leisure time playing card games, try the idea of playing outside if the weather permits and get some fresh air! At Harmony, we have a variety of indoor and outdoor common areas to accommodate large events or more intimate gatherings. Take a WalkGetting the legs moving is always a good idea no matter the weather! For seniors, blood circulation is not as efficient as it once was during our younger years, so make sure to bundle up to stay warm while participating in outdoor aerobic activities. Our communities have plenty of dedicated spaces to walk around and explore while staying safe. Weve made it convenient for your four-legged friends as well, so feel free to bring Fido.   We understand that it is not in everyones best interest to be outdoors when the season turns cold. Thats why Harmony also has great indoor amenities that can help your loved one stay mentally and physically active inside our community.Our residents arent the only ones who benefit from Harmonys amenities and activity spaces. A family member of a current Harmony resident recently commented,They have a library, an activity room, and a small exercise room. There's also a small theater so they can watch evening movies, even though most people have cable in their rooms. It's a nice social aspect of the process, I think that's awesome.  Having purposeful amenities will play an important part in any senior housing community to keep residents engaged and thriving. Harmony Senior Services offers independent, assisted living, and memory care communities that feel more like home, are spacious and inviting, and strive to make each day filled with meaningful activities. If you are thinking of having your loved one relocate to senior living, contact Harmony today!

Local Services By This Author

Griswold Home Care

Home Health 9200 Bonita Beach Road Southeast, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135

Griswold is More Than Home Care. Its Peace of Mind.Griswold offers compassionate in-home care for those who want support to live where they love. With over four decades of experience and a storied legacy of compassion and integrity, we focus on the people we meet and the connections we make. It is our privilege to support your unique needs with respect, empathy, and dedicated attention so you can Live Assured, without the weight of worry.Griswold is an award-winning pioneer in the non-medical home care industry. We believe Care Professionals are the foundation of our success, and our commitment to innovation is based on our desire to improve the lives of everyone we touch in the communities we serve. We focus on personal care, homemaking, companionship, and support for those with conditions, illnesses, or injuries.With almost 200 locations in 32 states, Griswolds reach continues to grow. While each location benefits from the collective expertise of the national network, our deep local community ties are what make us special.